Nanotech Recall

As those of you who have read our May story, "Redefining the Human," well know, we're going to be relying on nanotechnology for medical advancements more and more in the coming years--nanobots hopefully will be scrubbing our arteries, attacking tumors and invading our cells to repair DNA. While there's no doubt about nanotech's positive potential, a story out of Germany today is a sure sign that there's also a lot of research to be done on the technology's implications. The Washington Post reports that the German government has issued what appears to be the first health-related recall of a nanotech product, the "Magic Nano" bathroom cleaner. At least 77 people reportedly suffered from severe respiratory problems after using the cleaner, though it's unclear whether symptoms were directly related to the product's tiny particles. --Tracy Saelinger